DOCSLIB.ORG

Religious History of Fasting

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Religious History of Fasting RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF FASTING Zia H Shah MD ﻳَﺎ ﺃﹶﻳﱡﻬَﺎ ﺍ ﻟﱠ ﺬِ ﻳ ﻦَ ﺁ ﻣَ ﻨُ ﻮ ﺍﹾ ﻛﹸ ﺘِ ﺐَ ﻋَ ﻠﹶ ﻴْ ﻜﹸ ﻢُ ﺍﻟﺼﱢﻴَﺎُﻡ ﻛﹶﻤَﺎ ﻛﹸ ﺘِ ﺐَ ﻋَﻠﹶﻰ ﺍ ﻟﱠ ﺬِ ﻳ ﻦَ ﻣِﻦ ﻗﹶ ﺒْ ﻠِ ﻜﹸ ﻢْ ﻟﹶ ﻌَ ﻠﱠ ﻜﹸ ﻢْ ﺗَ ﺘﱠ ﻘﹸ ﻮ ﻥﹶ “O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil.” (Al Quran 2:184) Talking about this verse, in the Friday sermon of June 10, 1983 Khalifatul Masih ’those before you‘ ﻣِﻦ ﻗﹶ ﺒْ ﻠِ ﻜﹸ ﻢْ IV, Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad said, “In this verse implies that there is no religion in which fasting was not prescribed, and this is mentioned and recorded in historical records. Therefore, Encyclopedia Britannica writes that all the religions of the world mention fasting. There is not even one religion that is without the concept of fasting. Even though such a research is easy in this day and age as the historical records are freely available in the book form. But when this verse was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad, he did not have any access to the information about majority of the world’s religions. Therefore, the first issue that this verse diverts our attention to is that what a marvelous prophet and what a spectacular book is being revealed to him, that he makes a claim about the whole world, a claim for which there is no apparently logical secular reason present; yet, he with great confidence makes an assertion and it is proven to be true over time. So, what the man of this age is finding to be the case after major academic pursuits had been revealed 1400 years ago.”1 According to eleventh edition of Encyclopedia Britannica (1911) under the heading of ‘fasting,’ “Fasting is of special interest when considered as a discipline voluntarily submitted to for moral and religious ends. As such it is very widely diffused. Its modes and motives vary considerably according to climate, race, civilization and other circumstances; but it would be difficult to name any religious system of any description in which it is wholly unrecognized.” According to Wikipedia: “Fasting for religious and spiritual reasons has been a part of human custom since pre-history. It is mentioned in the Bible, in the Old Testament and the New Testament, the Qur'an, the Mahabharata, and the Upanishads. Fasting is also practiced in many other religious traditions and spiritual practices.” 1 According to present day Encyclopedia Britannica online, “Fasting has been practiced from antiquity worldwide by the founders and followers of many religions, ….. In the religions of ancient peoples and civilizations, fasting was a practice to prepare persons, especially priests and priestesses, to approach the deities. In the Hellenistic mystery religions (e.g., the healing cult of the god Asclepius), the gods were thought to reveal their divine teachings in dreams and visions only after a fast that required the total dedication of the devotees. Among the pre- Columbian peoples of Peru, fasting often was one of the requirements for penance after an individual had confessed sins before a priest. In many cultures the practice was considered a means to assuage an angered deity or to aid in resurrecting a deity who was believed to have died (e.g., a god of vegetation). In the religions of traditional or preliterate peoples, fasting is often practiced before and during a vision quest (e.g., among the North American Indian peoples of the Great Plains and the Pacific Northwest). Among the Evenk (also called Evenki, formerly Tungus) of Siberia, shamans (religious personages thought to have the power to heal and to communicate psychically) often receive their initial visions not with a quest but rather after an unexplained illness; after the initial vision, however, they fast and train themselves to see further visions and to control spirits. Priestly societies among the Pueblo Indians of the American Southwest fast during retreats before major ceremonies connected with seasonal changes. Fasting for special purposes or before or during special sacred times is a characteristic of the major religions of the world. In Jainism, for example, fasting according to certain prescribed rules and practicing certain types of meditation leads to trances that enable individuals to disassociate themselves from the world and reach a transcendent state. Buddhist monks of the Theravāda school fast on certain holy days (uposatha) of the month. In China prior to 1949, it was customary to observe a fixed period of fasting and abstinence before the sacrifice during the night of the winter solstice, a time when the heavenly Yang (positive energy) principle was believed to begin its new cycle. In India, Hindu sadhus (holy men) are admired for their frequent personal fasts for various reasons. Among the Western religions, only Zoroastrianism prohibits fasting, because of its belief that such a form of asceticism will not aid in strengthening the faithful in their struggle against evil. The other Western religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islām—emphasize fasting during certain periods. Judaism, which developed many dietary laws and customs, observes several annual fast days, primarily on days of penitence (such as Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement) or mourning. Christianity, especially Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, has observed a 40-day fast period during Lent, a spring period of penitence before Easter, and 2 during Advent, a penitential period before Christmas. Among Roman Catholics the observance has been modified since the second Vatican Council (1962–65) to allow greater individual choice, with mandatory fasting only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday during Lent. Protestant churches generally leave the decision to fast to individual church members. The month of Ramadan in Islām is a period of penitence and total fasting from dawn to dusk.”2 So, the present day Encyclopedia Britannica online has mentioned numerous religions including several religions among the aborigines of North and South America that carry the institution of fasting. However, it has also mentioned one exception and that is Zoroastrianism or Parsee religion. Their claim about Zoroastrianism may be misinformation. For example, It is mentioned in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bombay By Asiatic Society of Bombay, Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland Bombay Branch, in the Centenary Memorial volume, “The Desatir, of which we have spoken above, and which is considered to be a semi-Zoroastrian book by some, refers to fasting as a good institution.” The full volume of this book is available on Google in the books section. The authors then try to explain away the fact, but as is said, ‘cat is out of the bag.’ According to Wikipedia, “The Dasatir-i-Asmani is an old Persian work related to Zoroastrian. … It contains fifteen sections which are said to have been revealed to fifteen successive prophets, the first of whom is Mahabad and the last Sasan. At the end of each section, with the exception of the last one, there is a prophecy about the next prophet. It is thought to have influenced Dabestan-e Mazaheb. A translation of it into the old Dari dialect of Persian language is supposed to have been discovered in Persia early in the 19th century, and was edited by Mulla Firuz of Bombay. The dating of the Dari translation is held to be the time of Khosrau II (590-628 A.D.). The scholars are divided over its authenticity, some consider it to be a work by Azar Kayvan in the period of the Mughal ruler Akbar.” As Parsees are fast disappearing from the world, by attrition, in India and Iran, it will be worthwhile to do more detailed research into their original religious scriptures and other sources in a timely fashion. Ahmadi Muslims believe that all ancient religions were from the same God so we can find common theme in all of them if we go to their very roots. So, fasting is no exception and this institution is present in all religions. ZOROASTRIANISM Zoroastrianism is a major ancient and pre-Islamic religion of Iran. For over a thousand years, from around 549 BCE to 652 CE, the religion taught by Zarathushtra flourished as the state religion of three mighty Iranian empires. Amongst the many subjects of the Achaemenian Empire were the Jews, who adopted some of the prophet's main teachings and transmitted them in due course to Christianity. 3 Zoroastrianism is a religion founded in ancient times by the prophet Zarathushtra, known to the Greeks as Zoroaster. "Arising out of the polytheistic traditions of ancient India and Iran, he was one of the early monotheists in the recorded human history. Zarathushtra preached that there was one God, whom he called Ahura Mazda. Ahura means "Lord," and Mazda means "Wise," so Zoroastrians call God the "Wise Lord." No one knows exactly when Zarathushtra lived. The modern estimate of Zarathushtra's date is anywhere from 1500 to 1000 BC. Desatir or the Sacred Writings of the Ancient Persian Prophets in the original tongue with commentary of the fifth Sasan by Mulla Firuz Bin Kaus, is a scarce book which is a collection of the writings of the different Persian prophets who flourished from the time of Mahabad to the time of fifth Sasan. In the chapter named, The book of Shet Sasan the First, we read, “Sekander during his reign translated into Yunani this Great Book, and afterwards other Books: and I have here given an extract from it that the young student might understand it, and know his God (Dadar) by proofs deduced from reason.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Holidays Religion in China
    Holidays all passion, hatred, and delusion die out and the soul is released from the body. Buddha also understood the CHINA Chinese traditional holidays are calculated according constant motion of the universe and that everything in to the lunar calendar. Here are some national holidays it is subject to birth and decay. This motion is part of celebrated in China: the Dharma, the laws of nature. One of these laws is of January/February* cause and consequence, or karma, which implies that Spring Festival all actions have a corresponding effect. In essence, the March 8 force generated by a person’s actions is a determining International Women’s Day factor in the nature of his/her next life. Buddhism May 1 emphasizes five regimens: striving not to kill, not to Labor Day steal, not to engage in sexual misconduct, not to speak June 1 falsehoods, and not to use drugs. Buddhist holidays Children’s Day include Bodhi Day (December 8), which celebrates the October 1 enlightenment of Buddha under the Bodhi tree; Buddha National Day Day (April 8), which commemorates the birth of Gautama in Lumbini Garden; and Wesak (April/May), the holiest *date varies of Buddhist holy days, which celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. Religion in China Population 1.4 billion Christians are followers of Jesus, a carpenter and a Jew China is a primarily Buddhist country. Roughly 3 percent from the city of Nazareth in present-day Israel. Christians Capital City Beijing of the population are Christian, and the remaining 1 believe that Jesus is the only son of God, born of a virgin Official Language Standard Chinese or Mandarin percent is Muslim.
    [Show full text]
  • Materials of Buddhist Culture: Aesthetics and Cosmopolitanism at Mindroling Monastery
    Materials of Buddhist Culture: Aesthetics and Cosmopolitanism at Mindroling Monastery Dominique Townsend Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2012 © 2012 Dominique Townsend All rights reserved ABSTRACT Materials of Buddhist Culture: Aesthetics and Cosmopolitanism at Mindroling Monastery Dominique Townsend This dissertation investigates the relationships between Buddhism and culture as exemplified at Mindroling Monastery. Focusing on the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, I argue that Mindroling was a seminal religio-cultural institution that played a key role in cultivating the ruling elite class during a critical moment of Tibet’s history. This analysis demonstrates that the connections between Buddhism and high culture have been salient throughout the history of Buddhism, rendering the project relevant to a broad range of fields within Asian Studies and the Study of Religion. As the first extensive Western-language study of Mindroling, this project employs an interdisciplinary methodology combining historical, sociological, cultural and religious studies, and makes use of diverse Tibetan sources. Mindroling was founded in 1676 with ties to Tibet’s nobility and the Fifth Dalai Lama’s newly centralized government. It was a center for elite education until the twentieth century, and in this regard it was comparable to a Western university where young members of the nobility spent two to four years training in the arts and sciences and being shaped for positions of authority. This comparison serves to highlight commonalities between distant and familiar educational models and undercuts the tendency to diminish Tibetan culture to an exoticized imagining of Buddhism as a purely ascetic, world renouncing tradition.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhism in America
    Buddhism in America The Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series The United States is the birthplace of religious pluralism, and the spiritual landscape of contemporary America is as varied and complex as that of any country in the world. The books in this new series, written by leading scholars for students and general readers alike, fall into two categories: some of these well-crafted, thought-provoking portraits of the country’s major religious groups describe and explain particular religious practices and rituals, beliefs, and major challenges facing a given community today. Others explore current themes and topics in American religion that cut across denominational lines. The texts are supplemented with care- fully selected photographs and artwork, annotated bibliographies, con- cise profiles of important individuals, and chronologies of major events. — Roman Catholicism in America Islam in America . B UDDHISM in America Richard Hughes Seager C C Publishers Since New York Chichester, West Sussex Copyright © Columbia University Press All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Seager, Richard Hughes. Buddhism in America / Richard Hughes Seager. p. cm. — (Columbia contemporary American religion series) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN ‒‒‒ — ISBN ‒‒‒ (pbk.) . Buddhism—United States. I. Title. II. Series. BQ.S .'—dc – Casebound editions of Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhism and Responses to Disability, Mental Disorders and Deafness in Asia
    Buddhism and Responses to Disability, Mental Disorders and Deafness in Asia. A bibliography of historical and modern texts with introduction and partial annotation, and some echoes in Western countries. [This annotated bibliography of 220 items suggests the range and major themes of how Buddhism and people influenced by Buddhism have responded to disability in Asia through two millennia, with cultural background. Titles of the materials may be skimmed through in an hour, or the titles and annotations read in a day. The works listed might take half a year to find and read.] M. Miles (compiler and annotator) West Midlands, UK. November 2013 Available at: http://www.independentliving.org/miles2014a and http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/bibliography/buddhism/index.php Some terms used in this bibliography Buddhist terms and people. Buddhism, Bouddhisme, Buddhismus, suffering, compassion, caring response, loving kindness, dharma, dukkha, evil, heaven, hell, ignorance, impermanence, kamma, karma, karuna, metta, noble truths, eightfold path, rebirth, reincarnation, soul, spirit, spirituality, transcendent, self, attachment, clinging, delusion, grasping, buddha, bodhisatta, nirvana; bhikkhu, bhikksu, bhikkhuni, samgha, sangha, monastery, refuge, sutra, sutta, bonze, friar, biwa hoshi, priest, monk, nun, alms, begging; healing, therapy, mindfulness, meditation, Gautama, Gotama, Maitreya, Shakyamuni, Siddhartha, Tathagata, Amida, Amita, Amitabha, Atisha, Avalokiteshvara, Guanyin, Kannon, Kuan-yin, Kukai, Samantabhadra, Santideva, Asoka, Bhaddiya, Khujjuttara,
    [Show full text]
  • TRANSFORMATION THROUGH Were Not Laughing at Me, but with Me ART in My Ignorance and Joy and Zeal and Continued from Page 1 Enthusiasm
    mLioiiPO Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14851 607-273-8519 SPRING 1999 NEWSLETTER & CATALOG '..' -tx SETTLING b CELEBRATION d INTO AMERICA: SALE! PART TWO 10% off every item Interviews with the in this catalog Four Tibetan Employees W e invite you to take advantage of this first ever opportunity to at Snow Lion save 10% on every item that you purchase from us until July 15th— this includes statues, thangkas—everything. You might also Win a Guided Tour to Tibet and Nepal in 2000—just tell us with your KARMA DORJEE ther either. I don't even know what order that you want to be entered in the Tibet trip contest. (If an item is already marked "on sale", use that sale price—we have a Karma Dorjee has a degree in eco- my parents looked like. I only knew number of specially priced items for you to consider.) nomics from the University of my father when I was very little. My Your direct purchases make possible the publication of new Mysore. In Dharamsala, India he sister told me that he worked as a books on Tibetan Buddhism. Since we have many excellent projects worked as a loan officer for the Ti- "dopso"—that's a stone carver, a scheduled for 1999, we especially appreciate your support! ■ betan Government-in-Exile. He builder. Looking back now, I can see worked for three years as treasurer that I would never want my own for the Tibetan Association of Ithaca. daughter to miss out on the love that Karma is in charge of purchase order- I missed frmjny parents growing up.
    [Show full text]
  • Holidays & Festivals
    RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC OBSERVANCES American Conference on Diversity Calendar The is a resource designed to encourage public awareness of the great diversity of religious and ethnic groups that live in the United States. Holidays and festivals are included for many religious, ethnic and public occasions. Teachers may find the calendar particularly helpful as it identifies opportunities for objective, non-creedal instruction about particular cultures. Employers will find that it serves as a reminder of those religious observances that may result in employee absences. Those using this calendar also should remember that it is based only on information available at the time of pro - duction. In particular, dates for lunar holidays are subject to change. American Conference on Diversity Calendar The is intended to increase our sensitivity to each other and to our different needs. However, the list is not exhaustive of the observances of any one religion. Therefore, those using this resource in a classroom or employer setting may wish to add holidays and observances that are not listed in this calendar, but are celebrated by stu - dents in their school or colleagues in their workplace. As an additional aid to both teachers and American Cemonpfleoryeenrcse, oann Dailvpehrasbiteyt iCcall engdloasrs. ary of selected observances appears in this KEY TO RELIGIOUS GROUPS* Non-working holidays for Abrahamic faiths Ba (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) Baha’i Bu Buddhist C January 6 Epiphany (O) Christian April 10 (sundown) Passover (J) H Hindu April 14 Good Friday (P) I Interfaith April 16 Easter (P,RC) 2017 J Jewish May 30 (sundown) – June 1 (sundown) Shavuot (J) Mo June 25 (sundown) –June 28 (sundown) Eid al-Fitr (M) Holidays & Festivals Mormon M September 1 (sundown) – Sept.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhist Churches of America Records LSC.2364
    http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8v412d7 No online items Finding aid for the Buddhist Churches of America Records LSC.2364 Finding aid prepared by Lauren Zuchowski (Japanese American National Museum), 2016; Matthew Hayes, Krystell Jimenez, Alejandro Adame, and Tess Livesley-O'Neill, 2019-2020. UCLA Library Special Collections Online finding aid last updated 2020 November 30. Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library Box 951575 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575 [email protected] URL: https://www.library.ucla.edu/special-collections Finding aid for the Buddhist Churches LSC.2364 1 of America Records LSC.2364 Contributing Institution: UCLA Library Special Collections Title: Buddhist Churches of America records Creator: Buddhist Churches of America Identifier/Call Number: LSC.2364 Physical Description: 435 Linear Feet (291 record cartons, 124 document boxes, 61 flat boxes and panorama folders) Date (inclusive): 1832-2016 Abstract: The Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) is a national organization of the Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji sect in the continental United States. Formerly known as the Buddhist Mission of North America (BMNA), the BCA is the largest Japanese American Buddhist organization and is currently headquartered in San Francisco, California. The collection includes correspondence between headquarters in the United States, Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji Headquarters in Kyoto, Japan, and individual temples, as well as meeting minutes and conference materials, education-related records, publications, financial records, and audiovisual materials in a wide variety of formats. Portions of the collection stored off-site. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.
    [Show full text]
  • Holidays & Festivals
    Holid2ay0s &1 Fe6 stivals 109 Church Street • New Brunswick, NJ 08901 732-745-9330 • Fax: 732-745-9419 http://www.AmericanConferenceOnDiversity.org Facebook.com/AmericanConferenceOnDiversity Twitter.com/AmConfDiversity Mission The American Conference on Diversity is dedicated to building just and inclusive schools, workplaces and communities through awareness, education and advocacy. The programs, services and initiatives of the American Conference on Diversity are among the most important work focused on creating a more inclu - sive society. The American Conference on Diversity builds on a historic mission and creates programs and activities relevant and vital to 21st Century life. It is a journey we can all take together. Holi2day0s &1 Fe6 stivals JANUARY FEBRUARY Black History Month 1 New Year’s Day F* 7 Four Chaplains’ Sunday I** 5 Birth of Guru Gobind Singh S 8 Chinese & Vietnamese New Year 6 Epiphany O,P,RC 10 Ash Wednesday/Lent Begins P,RC 7 Feast of Nativity O 14-20 Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week 13 Maghi S 15 Nirvana Day Bu 17 World Religion Day 15 Presidents’ Day F* 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day F* 26-29 Ayyam-i-Ha (Intercalary Days) Ba MARCH Women’s History Month APRIL 2-20 Nineteen Day Fast Ba 13 Vaisakhi S 14 Lent Begins (Clean Monday) O 21 First Day of Ridvan Ba 17 Saint Patrick’s Day 22-30 Pesach (Passover) J 20 Spring Equinox 20 Palm Sunday C 21 Naw-Ruz (New Year) Ba 23 Holi H 23-24 Purim J 24 Holy Thursday O 25 Good Friday P, RC 27 Easter P, RC MAY Asian American Heritage Month JUNE GLBT Pride Month 7 3 Lailat al Miraj
    [Show full text]
  • Bringing the Buddha Closer: the Role of Venerating the Buddha in The
    BRINGING THE BUDDHA CLOSER: THE ROLE OF VENERATING THE BUDDHA IN THE MODERNIZATION OF BUDDHISM IN SRI LANKA by Soorakkulame Pemaratana BA, University of Peradeniya, 2001 MA, National University of Singapore, 2005 Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Pittsburgh 2017 UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH THE DIETRICH SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES This dissertation was presented by Soorakkulame Pemaratana It was defended on March 24, 2017 and approved by Linda Penkower, PhD, Associate Professor, Religious Studies Joseph Alter, PhD, Professor, Anthropology Donald Sutton, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Religious Studies Dissertation Advisor: Clark Chilson, PhD, Associate Professor, Religious Studies ii Copyright © by Soorakkulame Pemaratana 2017 iii BRINGING THE BUDDHA CLOSER: THE ROLE OF VENERATING THE BUDDHA IN THE MODERNIZATION OF BUDDHISM IN SRI LANKA Soorakkulame Pemaratana, PhD. University of Pittsburgh, 2017 The modernization of Buddhism in Sri Lanka since the late nineteenth century has been interpreted as imitating a Western model, particularly one similar to Protestant Christianity. This interpretation presents an incomplete narrative of Buddhist modernization because it ignores indigenous adaptive changes that served to modernize Buddhism. In particular, it marginalizes rituals and devotional practices as residuals of traditional Buddhism and fails to recognize the role of ritual practices in the modernization process. This dissertation attempts to enrich our understanding of modern and contemporary Buddhism in Sri Lanka by showing how the indigenous devotional ritual of venerating the Buddha known as Buddha-vandanā has been utilized by Buddhist groups in innovative ways to modernize their religion.
    [Show full text]
  • Holidays & Festivals
    Holid2013ays & Festivals 109 Church Street • New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Ph: (732) 745-9330 • Fax: (732) 745-9419 http://www.AmericanConferenceOnDiversity.org Facebook.com/AmericanConferenceOnDiversity Twitter.com/AmConfDiversity Mission The American Conference on Diversity values diversity, educates and empowers leaders and promotes inclusion and respect in businesses, organizations, schools and colleges and communities all across New Jersey. Since 1948 we have been serving schools, organizations, work- places and communities. The programs, services and initiatives of the American Conference on Diversity are among the most important work focused on creating a more inclu- sive society. The American Conference on Diversity builds on a historic mission and creates programs and activities relevant and vital to 21st Century life. It is a journey we can all take together. The American Conference on Diversity operates eight chapters to help us educate and empower leaders and bring our messages of inclusion and respect to communities throughout New Jersey: Atlantic County Chapter, Bayonne Chapter, Central Jersey Chapter, Essex County Chapter, Greater Bergen Chapter, Hudson County Chapter, Jersey Shore Chapter and Mercer County Chapter. Holi2013days & Festivals JANUARY FEBRUARY Black History Month 6 Epiphany O,P,RC 3 Four Chaplains’ Sunday I** 7 Christmas Day O 9 Chinese and Vietnamese New Year 13 Maghi S 13 Ash Wednesday/Lent Begins P,RC 18 Birth of Guru 15 Nirvana Day Bu Gobind Singh S 18 Presidents’ Day F* 20 World Religion Day 26-3/1 Ayyam-i-Ha
    [Show full text]
  • These Happen Each Month
    Lunar Days Key Events and List of Annual Celebrations By Michael Erlewine ([email protected]) These Happen Each Month 00-03 White Tara Practice – Healing 00-03 Yoga Tantra -- All Seeing 00-05 Dakini Day (minor) 00-08 Guru Rinpoche Day (minor) 00-08 Gyalwa Gyatso (Red Chenrezik) 00-08 Medicine Buddha 00-08 Milarepa Lhatrup 00-08 Tara Puja 00-09 Dharma Protectors (minor) 00-10 Daka/Heruka Day (Male Deities) Feast Day 00-10 Guru Rinpoche Day 00-10 Heart Yoga Practice 00-13 12 Guardian Deity Offerings 00-13 Purification (minor) Prayer-Flag day 00-14 Fire Puja day -- Purification 00-15 Amitabha Buddha Day/Full Moon Day 00-15 Chakrasamvara Day 00-15 Full Moon Assembly 00-19 Dharma Protectors (minor) 00-19 Medicine Buddha 00-23 Tara/Healing (major) 00-23 Vajravarahi Practice 00-25 Dakini Day (Female Deities) Feast Day 00-25 Heart Yoga Practice 00-27 Purification 00-28 Purification 00-29 Dharma Protector Day (major) 00-30 30th Lunar Day New Moon 00-30 Buddha Day, Reading of Sutras 00-30 Vairochana Practice These Happen on the Particular Lunar Month & Day 01-01 Losar, Tibetan New Year (Gyalpo Losar) (Buddhist Holidays) 01-03 Tragshul Trinley Rinchen 01-04 Monlam 3 wks. Festival (Buddhist Holidays) 01-05 Drikung Konchok Ratna 01-05 Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab 01-08 Birthday of 3rd Karmapa, Ranjung Dorje 01-08 Birthday of H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche 01-08 Parinirvana of 9th Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje 01-08 6th Karmapa, Tongwa Donden (Karma Kagyu) 01-08 Change all House Prayer Flags (Karma Kagyu) 01-09 Long-Life Rites (7 days) (Karma Kagyu) 01-10 Cho Nga Chopa 10th to 15th day (Buddhist Holidays) 01-10 H.H.
    [Show full text]
  • Nccj Interfaith Calendar 2022
    2022 Holidays and Festivals NCCJ of the Piedmont Triad 713 North Greene Street, Greensboro, NC 27401 336.272.0359 | www.nccjtriad.org JULY 4 Independence Day F 2022 10 Martyrdom of the B’ab * Ba Eid al-Adha (US Date) Mu 13 Asalha Puja Bu 24 Pioneer Day Mo JANUARY 30 A l Hijra/ Muharram 1 New Year’s Day F Mu Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God RC 6 Epiphany P, RC AUGUST Physically Challenged Awareness Month 7 Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox Christmas) O 1 Lughnassadh W 13 Birth of Guru Gobind Singh S 6 Tisha B’av* J 15 Maghi S 8 Ashura* Mu 16 Tu Biahvat J 15 Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary RC 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday (Observed) F Dormition of the Theotokos O 19 Feast of the Epiphany O 18 Krishna Janmashtami H SEPTEMBER Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month FEBRUARY Black/African American History Month 5 Labor Day F 1 Imbolc (Northern Hemisphere) W 21-29 Mabon / Autumn Equinox (Northern Hemisphere) W Chinese New Year Bu 26 Navaratri H 14 St. Valentine’s Day RC, I 26-27 Rosh Hashanah * J 15 Nirvana Day / Parinirvana Day Bu, S 21 President’s Day F Diversity Awareness Month 25–Mar.1 Intercalary/Ayyam-i-ha * Ba OCTOBER LGBT History Month 5 Yom Kippur* J 8 Mawlid al Nabi* Mu MARCH Women’s History Month 10-16 Sukkot* J 1 Shrove Tuesday P,RC 17 Shemini Atzeret* J Lailatal Miraj Mu 18 Simchat Torah* J 2 Ash-Wednesday—Lent Begins P,RC 20 Installation of Scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib S 2-20 Nineteen Day Fast Period Ba 24 Diwali (Deepavali) H, S 7 Clean Monday—Lent Begins O 26 Birth of the B’ab * Ba 17 St.
    [Show full text]